Former England and Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster has named Andoni Iraola as the perfect candidate to succeed Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, if the club decides to part ways with their current manager.
Speaking during The Cycling GK podcast, Foster said Iraola’s recent record at Bournemouth shows he has the resilience and tactical sense to thrive at a top club like United.
“Iraola is the one for me. To lose half your squad, half your starting line‑up, and then still be just as impressive, for me, that means you’re a proper coach,” Foster said. “If they’re trying to get Iraola or Glasner then it’s going to cost an awful lot of money.”
Iraola is not a stranger to United rumours. He has previously been linked as a possible replacement if Amorim’s tenure fails to deliver results.
However, the odds are complicated: his contract with Bournemouth runs until 2026, and the club is taking steps behind the scenes to keep him.
United have invested heavily in the 2025 summer transfer window, spending more than £170 million on new signings like Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Senne Lammens, and Diego Leon. But the club’s inconsistent performance this season has raised doubts over Amorim’s future.
A number of names have been floated as potential replacements, including Oliver Glasner, the outspoken favourite, and Gareth Southgate, who has been added to the mix.
Foster was also critical of Amorim’s current approach, suggesting that sticking rigidly to a single formation might be naive in the face of Premier League challenges.
He highlighted that a strong manager must adapt to the squad he inherits, not force a style that doesn’t suit the players.
Iraola’s style at Bournemouth has been praised by fans and pundits alike. He is known for blending possession play with pressing, for encouraging youth players, and for getting more from limited squad depth.
But making the leap to manage a club with the stature and pressure of Manchester United would be a different challenge.
Meanwhile, the club has not officially confirmed any plan to sack Amorim. Journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that as of now, United are not considering a managerial change, and all speculation remains just that.
If United were to pursue Iraola, they would likely have to pay compensation to Bournemouth and negotiate a new contract to meet the financial demands of managing such a high-profile team. Foster warned that hiring a top manager would be expensive—but sometimes necessary.
As Manchester United prepares to face Sunderland in their next Premier League outing, the pressure on Amorim’s shoulders will intensify.
